East-west Toll Plazas Probably Will Get Gates

Gates probably will be installed at toll plazas on the East-West Expressway to stop motorists from running automatic coin hoppers, expressway authority officials said Wednesday.

In addition, consultants to the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority recommended Wednesday a number of improvements aimed at reducing rush-hour backups.

The installation of gates at unmanned tollbooths at the expressway's eastern toll plaza near State Road 436 is one of several proposals designed to cut down on cheating that is costing the authority an estimated $1,800 a day. A study this spring concluded that 5 percent of motorists who travel the expressway -- about 6,000 a day -- don't pay tolls. Most of the cheating occurs at the two major toll plazas and at ramps off Conway Road, the study said.

Authority Executive Director Bill Gwynn said the Florida Department of Transportation, which collects tolls for the authority, has indicated it will approve the proposal. Gwynn said the gates probably will be installed by Labor Day.

The gates will rise after money is deposited in the coin hopper. Motorists will be able to raise the gate when the coin-collection equipment malfunctions by leaving their cars and pushing a button.

Gwynn said he doesn't expect a lot of problems with malfunctions because a recent survey of coin-collection equipment showed it worked almost all of the time. Many motorists, however, have complained that the equipment often fails to flash a green light after they deposit money.

If the gates work well at the eastern toll plaza, Gwynn said, they also will be installed at the western toll plaza near Tampa Avenue.

In addition, automated collection booths at Conway Road will be manned during rush hours beginning sometime this fall.